Blind golfers descend on Sydney for Australian Open

ABC News: Jennifer Browning

10 Oct 2017

Most people find it hard enough to play golf with perfect sight, but some have managed to master the sport blind.

Andy Sellars, 47, lost his sight when he was 17 years old.

But rather than let his blindness overcome him, he threw himself into the game of golf.

"As a 17-year-old boy you're really sad you don't know what's going to happen, but I've got one view on life: you've got one disability and 1,000 abilities so crack on and do the best you can," he said.

Mr Sellars, from England, is competing at the Blind Golf Australian Open this week at Royal Sydney.

"I've been to Australia twice but only because I'm a blind golfer," he said.

"I've been here before in 2014, been to Tokyo twice, Canada, it's been amazing."

Golfers rely on their caddies to be their eyes.

Telling them which direction to hit the ball, the distance from the green and how hard or soft to hit the ball.

Blind golfer Jenny Abela and her guide dog Goldie.

"It's a bit like the guide dog, you feel safe with them," Jenny Abela said.

Ms Abela's guide dog Goldie is never far from the course either.

"Goldie is my biggest fan, when I tee off and if I hit a smashing hit, she does one bark," she said.

Blind golf was established more than 30 years ago and is now played in 16 countries.

Graham Coulton from the International Blind Golf Association said about 400 players were registered worldwide, but he would like to see more people get involved.

"It's as hard as any sport, I've played a number of different sports as a vision-impaired athlete and golf is one of the hardest ones," he said.